Iritis
Date issued: September 2023
Review date: September 2025
Ref: A-587/MS/Ophthalmology/Iritis
PDF: Iritis final September 2023.pdf [pdf] 84KB
Iritis
You have been diagnosed as having an eye condition called Iritis.
You might also hear it called Anterior Uveitis or Iridocyclitis.
Iritis is an inflammation of the iris or coloured part of your eye and the ciliary body which holds the lens in place inside the eye.
In 70% of people having iritis the cause of the inflammation is not known.
Symptoms
The inflammation causes you to have:
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Pain or ache, due to the spasm of the iris.
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Redness
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Blurred vision, due to the inflammation inside the eye.
Light sensitive watering due to irritation of the nerves in the iris.
Diagnosis
The Doctor will examine you on the microscope.
He/she may request further tests e.g., x-rays, blood tests.
Treatment
Most patients with iritis notice an improvement within a few days of using the drops.
The Drops used are:
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Steroids
These are used in the daytime.
As your condition improves the Doctor will reduce the amount of drops you use.
You may be given a steroid ointment to use at night.
2. Drops to dilate (make bigger) the pupil (black part of the eye).
These drops can help prevent serious complications. These help relieve the pain the eye by resting the muscles within the eye.
Dilating drops may make your vision blurred.
You may find sunglasses useful as you will be sensitive to light.
NONE OF YOUR TREATMENT SHOULD BE CHANGED OR STOPPED BEFORE THE DOCTOR ADVISES YOU TO DO SO.
Review: You will be given an appointment to return to the Royal Eye Infirmary to see the Doctor.
Will the Iritis come back again?
It may.
The future
You will be asked to return to Casualty to see the Doctor.
You may be given an Outpatient appointment.
Iritis often reoccurs.
If you experience any of the symptoms again, please return to the Royal Eye Infirmary or an eye unit near your home.
Early treatment helps prevent complications in the future.
